Tigers manager criticizes his own pitcher after he hit Red Sox batter, sparking benches to clear

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on FoxNews.com.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Framber Valdez drew the ire of his own manager on Tuesday night after he hit Boston Red Sox batter Trevor Story with a pitch in the fourth inning, causing the benches to empty.

Valdez struck Story after allowing home runs to Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu. Valdez’s pitch to Story’s body came in at 94 mph. Story stared down Valdez as Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler, and home plate umpire Adam Beck got in between the two.

ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!

Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch talks with Boston Red Sox catcher Willson Contreras after Trevor Story was hit by a pitch during the fourth inning in Detroit on May 5, 2026. (Jose Juarez/AP)

Players and staff from both teams came out of the dugout, but no punches were thrown.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch wasn’t too pleased with Valdez after the game.

"We play a really good brand of baseball here. That didn't feel like it," Hinch said, via ESPN. "It's not judging intent; I have no idea. But I know when you go out on the field, and you end up sort of in those confrontations, you usually feel like you're in your right. And it didn't feel good being out there."

"So I understand their frustrations. I understand the moment, and it was a low moment of a frustrating night," Hinch continued.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Framber Valdez throws during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox in Detroit on May 5, 2026. (Jose Juarez/AP)

Valdez, who was ejected, said through an interpreter that his actions weren’t intentional.

"It was not intentional," he said. "It might